Citizenship in Action : Mozambique Youth, Sport and Social Development Programme

As part of the Commonwealth Games 2002 bid, the Youth Charter was invited to table a number of social and grass root proposals in order to assist the future youth policy and provisions. 2006 will see the Youth Charter contribute to a multi agency U.N. led sport and social development effort.

PROJECT BACKGROUND
Mozambique has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa but is still recognised as being one of the least developing priority countries as identified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the World’s youngest populations with some 25% being aged between 10 and 19 years old according to the World Health Organisation. Young people must be involved in shaping and determining their future.The problem for the youth of Mozambique is one of choice. In many ways their lives are directed by circumstance and unless they are able to break free from the negative cycles of exclusion and re-engage with society the future prosperity of this region will be constrained.

The Youth Charter was invited to contribute to Mozambique’s youth sport and social development programme. The flood disaster of 2000 saw a delay in the Youth Charter’s ability to assist. However, as part of the Commonwealth Games 2002 bid, the Youth Charter was invited to table a number of social and grass root proposals in order to assist the future youth policy and provisions.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
2006 will see the Youth Charter contribute to a multi agency U.N. led sport and social development effort. The Youth Charter’s work will be supported by the Swiss Development Agency and will aim to train 100 social coaches. This will complement and enhance the Youth Charter’s work to date. The Youth Charter approach has been developed in response to the lack of direction and joined up multi-agency working evident across the region. Rugby,Football, International Olympic Committee, The World Bank and Commission for Africa are just a few of the high profile bodies that have visibly been active.

Delivery mechanisms, such as...
• All Africa Games
• All Africa Nations Cup
• Southern Africa Youth Games
• Fifa ‘Soccer’ World Cup 2010

...have focussed the world attention on the continent highlighting the problems that exist The responsibility and governance of the International sport bodies often reinforces any inequality. South Africa is the largest holder of international events and this is reinforces the significant contribution made by the Youth Charter in South Africa.

PROJECT VIDEOS




Footage from the two day Youthwise Social Coach Workshop held in Windhoek, Namibia in April 2007.